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Beth Jacob Synagogue PO Box 1133 Montpelier, VT 05601-1133 802-229-9429 Building Construction Update January 23, 2010 Work is progressing on the project to rebuild the sanctuary portion of our building on Harrison Avenue. A committee of Paul Carnahan, Barney Bloom, and Eve Jacobs-Carnahan has met with architect Tom Bachman several times since the beginning of the new year. Gossens Bachman Architects is working with engineers and other building professionals to design the open vaulted ceiling space for the sanctuary that the congregation favored, as well as a structurally sound 8' foundation with improved drainage. We are still on schedule to begin construction in late spring. We are in the process of applying for a zoning variance from the city of Montpelier. The city regulations allow the synagogue to continue in our present location. However, we must obtain a zoning variance because we need to remove the old building in order to economically reconstruct the new space on a new foundation. The new sanctuary will look essentially the same on the exterior, but will be greatly improved on the inside - both structurally and aesthetically. We hope to appear before the Development Review Board on March 1. Our neighbors and the city have been very supportive of our efforts to preserve the character of the neighborhood with a reconstruction of our synagogue. Your support at the meeting on Monday, March 1, in the police station meeting room, will be much appreciated. You don't have to say anything at the hearing, just come! Meanwhile, fundraising continues for this exciting project. So far we have raised over $333,000 toward our goal of $600,000. A thermometer on our web site shows our progress toward our goal. We have raised enough money to proceed with the first phase of the project, replacing the sanctuary, but we will need to raise more funds before we can undertake the second phase, reconstruction of the back portion of the building. The second phase will include re-arranging the location of the kitchen and bathroom to make the space more flexible for large gatherings and religious school activities. At the end of the project we will have recreated our historic home and given the Jews of central Vermont a house of study and worship that should last for many generations to come.